A power spot loved by people - Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is a sacred place where the people's feelings are borne fruit - Prayer for its history, nature, and future

After passing through the hustle and bustle of Harajuku, you will find yourself in a different world. The space is enveloped in silence and greenery, which is hard to believe is located in the heart of the city. Meiji Shrine boasts the highest number of visitors in Japan each year. This sacred place, which many people visit in hoping for healing and hoping for peace of mind, is widely known as a power spot.

However, it becomes clear that Meiji Shrine is not just a tourist attraction, once you know the history of its founding. With the passionate feelings of the people who respect Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, prayers for the revival of the nation, and hope for the future, Meiji Shrine is a place that symbolizes Japan's spiritual culture.

1. The background of the establishment of Meiji Jingu Shrine, enthusiasm of the people and prayers of the nation

Meiji Shrine was founded to honor Emperor Meiji, the 122nd Emperor, and to honor his empress, Empress Shoken, and to commemorate his virtues. Emperor Meiji was deeply respected by the people as a great leader who promoted Japan's modernization and protected the independence of the nation. His achievements in leading the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese War to victory and leading him to a country recognized by the world as a member of the great powers are still being talked about today. Empress Dowager Shoken was also loved as a charity who was close to the people, working hard to support the social welfare business and contributing to the spread of education.

Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912 (Taisho 1). The sad news has engulfed the whole of Japan with deep sadness. The people had a strong desire to honor Emperor Meiji's feat and comfort his spirit, and voices erupted from all over the country to create a shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji.

However, building a shrine costs a huge amount of money. At that time, Japan was in the period of recovery after the Russo-Japanese War and was not in a rich economic situation. Nevertheless, the people actively engaged in donation activities to bring their gratitude to Emperor Meiji into full force. People, young and old, cut down their daily lives and donated small amounts of money. That enthusiasm led to the government being driven and the creation of a national shrine.

In 1915 (Taisho 4), the government officially decided to establish Meiji Jingu. The location was chosen in Yoyogi, where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken often visited. This area was also the place where Emperor Meiji built a garden for the Empress, when Empress Shoken became ill, and it gave us a sense of the deep connection between His Majesties.

2. Artificial Forest - A miraculous forest that has been nurtured over 100 years

One of the greatest features of Meiji Jingu is the vast forests spread out in the city centre. Boasting approximately 70 hectares, this forest is filled with nature, just like a native forest. But surprisingly, this forest is an artificial forest planted at the time of its founding.

When building Meiji Shrine, the government called for dedication from all over the country. In response to this call, various types of trees were given out from all over Japan. From Hokkaido to Okinawa, there are over 100,000 bottles. Trees were brought in from far away, using railways, ships, horse-drawn carriages, etc.

The types of trees were also chosen to suit the climate and climate of the area. A variety of tree species, including deciduous broad-leaved trees, evergreen broad-leaved trees and coniferous trees, have been mixed together to replicate the forest that is close to nature.

However, simply planting trees does not create a natural forest. The Meiji Jingu Forest construction was made with cutting-edge technology from the time. Experts from forestry, landscape scientists, civil engineering and other organizations gathered to create detailed plans and create forests that take into consideration the natural ecosystem.

A particular focus was on the growth environment of the trees. Various efforts have been made to improve soil, ensure water veins, and adjust sunlight to create an environment where trees can grow healthy.

Also, plans were made with a look to the future. With an eye on 100 or 200 years from now, forest construction was carried out from a long-term perspective so that forests could be maintained naturally, as they continued to change generations.

As a result, Meiji Jingu Forest has grown into a stunning natural forest after 100 years. Today, about 240 species and 170,000 trees grow, creating a rich ecosystem with a diverse range of animals and plants.

Meiji Jingu Forest is an oasis in the city and provides healing to many people. Not only are you able to enjoy beautiful scenery with every season, but it is also popular for activities where you can enjoy nature, such as bird watching and forest bathing.

3. National cooperation, labor service and the wisdom of engineers

The establishment of Meiji Shrine was carried out as a national project with the cooperation of all the people. Not only donating funds, but also providing labor was a sign of the public's enthusiasm.

At the time, the labor shortage was becoming more serious due to the effects of World War I. Therefore, the government called for labor service, mainly by youth groups and others. In response to this call, a total of 110,000 young people from all over the country gathered to work hard to build Meiji Shrine.

They were involved in a variety of tasks, including planting trees, improving approach to the shrine, and building stone walls. The sight of him silently devoted himself to his work despite the harsh working conditions was a sign of gratitude to Emperor Meiji and his strong desire to pray for the nation's reconstruction.

Furthermore, cutting-edge technology of the time was used to establish Meiji Shrine. Experts from various fields, including the architecture of the shrine, forest construction, and garden design, gathered together wisdom and skills.

The shrine was completed as a majestic and beautiful structure that incorporates modern techniques, following the traditional style of shrine architecture. It was created as a building that will remain for generations for a long time, with attention to detail, including wood selection, processing technology, and earthquake-resistant design.

As mentioned above, planting trees was planned with ecosystem in mind when building the forest. The garden was also designed as an elegant and beautiful space that reflected the tastes of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

The creation of Meiji Jingu Shrine was a project that brought together the enthusiasm of the people, labor services, and the wisdom of engineers, and was truly a national project.

4. Reason for the selection of the site: The relationship between Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken

The Yoyogi site was chosen as the place where Meiji Shrine is located, as mentioned above, as was often visited by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, and was a special place for His Majesty.

In particular, the gardens built by Emperor Meiji for the Empress Shoken when Empress Dowager Shoken became ill are known to many people as a place that gives a sense of the deep affection of His Majesties.

This garden is currently open to the public as a garden, and you can enjoy beautiful scenery with every season. In particular, in June, about 150 varieties and 1,500 irises bloom, captivating visitors.

In addition, there is a well called Kiyomasa Well within the Imperial Palace. This well is said to have been dug by Kato Kiyomasa during the Edo period, and is also popular as a power spot.

The Yoyogi site was chosen as the site of Meiji Jingu Shrine, taking into consideration not only the connection between His Majesty, but also the sacred atmosphere that this site possesses. The Yoyogi site has long been revered as a sacred place and was a suitable site for Meiji Shrine.

5. The charm of Meiji Jingu Shrine: the Imperial Gardens, sacred trees, and museums

Meiji Shrine has many attractions, not only the shrine building and forest.

First of all, as mentioned above, the Gyoen Garden is a garden where you can enjoy beautiful scenery with every season. In addition to iris, it also shows different expressions depending on the season, such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

In addition to the Kiyomasa Well, the Imperial Palace is also dotted with historic buildings such as the Azumaya and the tea room.

Next, at Meiji Shrine, there is a spiritually powerful tree called a sacred tree. Particularly famous are two camphor trees known as the Couple Crown. These two camphorse stand together and are said to have the benefits of matchmaking.

When visiting Meiji Shrine, why not visit the sacred tree and pray for a good relationship?

And in 2020, the Meiji Jingu Museum opened. This museum displays items related to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, as well as materials related to the history of Meiji Shrine.

The museum's building itself is a beautiful building designed by architect Kuma Kengo, and is worth a tour.

Meiji Shrine is an attractive place that combines history, nature, culture and prayers for the future.

6. The future of Meiji Jingu Shrine, over 100 years of residence

Meiji Jingu was celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the shrine, various events were held, and a new history of Meiji Jingu began.

Meiji Jingu will continue to be loved by many people as a place that symbolizes Japan's spiritual culture.

The Meiji Jingu Forest will be passed down to the future as a miraculous forest that has been nurtured over 100 years.

Visitors to Meiji Shrine will pray to the shrine, stroll through the forest, get in touch with history, and have hope for the future.

Meiji Shrine is a place that connects the past, present, and future.

Meiji Shrine is more than just a tourist attraction. It contains the enthusiasm of the people, the prayers of the nation, and hope for the future.

Be sure to visit Meiji Shrine and experience its sacred atmosphere.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

Contact

Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.